The Kentucky State Fair serves as a culminating event for 4-H members across the Commonwealth, showcasing the depth and breadth of youth project work. In 2024, Kentucky 4-H members exhibited 6,612 projects and competitions in Cloverville and 2,960 livestock projects, including beef, dairy, dairy goats, market goats, sheep, and swine.

Each project required a minimum of six hours of guided instruction, resulting in an estimated 57,432 hours of hands-on learning. This time investment reflects the core components of 4-H project work: youth-driven learning, adult mentorship, goal setting, record keeping, and skill development.

As part of the Kentucky State Fair experience, 4-H members completed an evaluation measuring Thriving Indicators. Results revealed statistically significant positive relationships between time spent on projects and key developmental outcomes. Youth who dedicated six or more hours to their projects were more likely to:

• Enjoy being challenged by new 4-H projects.
• Develop step-by-step plans to achieve their project goals.

These findings affirm the value of sustained engagement in 4-H programming and highlight the Kentucky State Fair as a powerful platform for youth development.